The Grange at Northington hosts festival to promote opera

The Grange Festival of music and dance, an annual fixture in Hampshire’s summer season, this year threw open its doors to a new audience for the first time, welcoming secondary school pupils and their families for an exclusive "relaxed" performance of its five-star opera, The Rake’s Progress. 

More than 100 children and young people, together with their families, came to experience their first ever opera.

Many came from schools that are part of the festival’s "Learning @ The Grange" programme, which delivers creative arts education year-round in communities that lack resources.  

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A scene from the performance (Image: The Grange)

Tickets at The Grange usually start from £85 and can cost as much as £175, according to Tripadvisor.

Prior to the performance, families enjoyed picnics in the grounds of The Grange, a neo-classical mansion at Northington near Alresford, which is transformed into a world-class venue for music and dance every summer.

“I thoroughly enjoyed being able to share the experience with my children, who had never seen an opera before,” said local parent Georgina Wedderburn. “Having our summer picnic in the stunning grounds was a memory we will never forget. This is a truly magical place and a very special festival.” 

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Hampshire music teacher Judith Beton said: “I had never been to an opera before and was not entirely sure we were going to enjoy it. However, we were completely blown away by The Rake's Progress. The quality of musicianship, acting, lighting. Everything was just extraordinary.” 

This weekend Learning @ The Grange will co-host Festival at the Fort in Gosport, a programme of free and low-cost music and dance events showcasing the talents of the town's young people and offering opportunities for local families to come along and get involved. Find out more and book tickets at gcep.hantsmusic.org.uk.